The Werewolf Priestess

I wandered the woods lost and confused. I had no idea where I was. The only thing I knew was that I had run west for days. I was running out of food and energy. I found an empty cave and decided that was as good a place as any to get some sleep and I would figure out the rest when I woke up. I blinked a few times. I woke up as the sun was setting. I wandered out into the forest to gather wood to start a fire. I sat by the fire and ate a couple of energy bars. I stared out of the mouth of the cave and recalled what started this nightmare just short of a week ago. I have always moved from place to place taking care of myself ever since I can remember. I was walking down a rural road when a nice looking couple in an old blue pickup stopped me and asked if they could take me anywhere. I politely declined telling them I wasn't really sure where I was headed. They invited me to stay at their house for a couple days while I figured it out. I politely declined and told them I didn't want to impose. They insisted and told me they had a big farm house that only the two of them lived in. I hesitantly agreed, thanking them. However, just one night later I had an episode and shifted. That's when s**t hit the fan. The woman freaked out and the man went on about catching me and caging me and selling me to the nearest science facility for testing. I jumped out the window and started running west. I ran for three days straight and hoped that I had enough of a head start to lose them for good. I took stock of my surroundings after a couple hours I noticed the very faint sound of waves on a shoreline. The problem was with my advanced hearing that the shoreline could have been an hour's run away. I decided to take a chance. I put out the fire and walked in the direction of the waves. After half an hour I found the shoreline. After walking along the beach for a little while I deduced that I was in Washington and that I was staring out into the Pacific Ocean. I just hoped that I was far enough away from those crazy people that I could live in peace. I had no problem being by myself, I had been for my whole life anyway why fix what isn't broken. I mean sure sometimes it can get a little lonely. I could always find a nearby town and go there for a few hours until I remembered why I live alone. I stared out into the ocean and watched the sun rise until the breeze blew and I got a whiff of an unfamiliar scent telling me that I was no longer alone. "Hey," a man greeted me. I stared at the ground. "My name is Carter. What's yours?" "..." "You're not much of a talker, huh?" I just shook my head in response. "You're not deaf are you?" I shook my head no. He just smiled and looked longingly out at the ocean. "It's beautiful isn't it? I think it’s the most beautiful thing when under the light of the full moon." I looked out at the ocean. Yea, I bet it is beautiful under the full moon to someone who doesn't unwillingly turn into a monster during the full moon. "Do you have somewhere to stay? My village is close by. You can stay there if you need a place." I just looked at the ground. "Come on I don't bite," He said with a crooked smile. "I'm fine thanks," I said in a whisper. "Are you sure? No offense but you look like you could use a warm bed, a shower, and a fresh change of clothes." "I'm fine, thanks," I repeated. "Come on, just for tonight?" "No," I replied and began to walk away. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said, grabbing my wrist. "Let go now." "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. I just don't understand why you won't accept my help. That's all I want to do." "The last people that wanted to 'help me' didn't mean any harm until they did." "Well I'm not like them." "And I'm not giving you the chance to be. Goodbye," I said and walked into the forest. As I walked it became increasingly clear he wasn't going to leave me alone. I tried to run but he kept up with me. Finally I gave in and agreed to one night. I figured if I could trick him into thinking I was going to let him help me I could escape while he was sleeping or otherwise distracted. Little did I know he wouldn't be so easily fooled. He led me to his village; it was a quaint place. He took me to his house and told me I could stay here for the night. I thanked him and walked to the bathroom because he wasn't wrong about needing a shower I couldn't even remember the last time I had a proper shower. I washed my hair and my body and found a razor and shaved my legs and armpits. I stood under the water and let it cascade down my back and chest. I let the water run cold before I got out. As I turned off the water there was a knock on the bathroom door, I froze. "There's a dress on the bed in the bedroom for you. When you come out we can go to the store and I'll buy you some clothes," Carter told me through the door and then walked away. I wrapped myself in a towel and peeked out of the bathroom door to make sure I couldn't see him and then I ran into the bedroom and quickly shut the door. On the bed was a long flowy light blue dress with short sleeves. I slipped it on along with matching flats. I blow dried my hair and let it fall down my back in waves. I looked in the mirror and was slightly surprised. I looked absolutely beautiful with my olive toned skin, blackish red hair and blue eyes that matched the dress. I was checking myself out when there was a knock on the bedroom door. "Are you ready," Carter asked through the door. I slowly opened the door looking down. "Wow," he said with his mouth agape. I really looked at him for the first time. He was kinda handsome. He had short dark hair, bright green eyes, he was very tan and was really fit. He was wearing blue jean shorts, a tight white shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes. "Mate," my inner wolf cried out. "No," I thought to myself. "Well," he asked. "Umm..." "Come on." he said, motioning me to follow, so I did. He took me to this little boutique and got me some jeans, tee shirts, a couple sweaters, a sundress, some pajamas, a pair of boots, and a pair of tennis shoes. "Are you hungry? I know I am." "Umm... Sure." He took my hand and led me to a diner. "Feel free to order whatever you want." "Thanks," I said quietly. " You’re welcome. You never did tell me your name, and I think as payment for all this you should at least tell me your name," he said with a smile. "My name is Clairissa, but you can call me Claire." "That’s really pretty." "Thank you," I said in almost a whisper. "Hey Carter," the waitress said as she approached the table. "Did you want your usual?" "Umm, yea. Thanks. "Who's your friend," she asked. "Oh,Tara, this is Claire. She's new to the area. Claire, this is Tara. She's been my best friend since we were children." "Nice to meet you," I said quietly. "Same to you. Do you know what you want or do you still need a moment?" "Umm, can I have a moment please?" "Absolutely," she said with a smile. "Can I get you anything to drink?" "Just a glass of water please." "No problem," she said smiling and walked away. I looked at the menu for the first time and settled on some steak alfredo. "Okay so I have water for Claire and a cherry pepsi for Carter," Tara said, handing us our drinks. "Did you decide what you wanted to eat yet hun," she asked looking at me. "Yea, can I please get some steak alfredo?" "Sure thing," she said, smiling at Carter and walking away. "So how long have you been in the area," Carter asked me. "I just got here." "Where were you running from?" "Somewhere east. I don't remember the name of the town." "Why were you running?" "Umm... I found some people who wanted to take advantage of me," I said after thinking about it for a moment. I mean it was technically true. "Oh," he said, getting quiet. "So how long have you lived here," I asked him to break the weird silence that had settled. "My whole life. I was born and raised here." "So that Tara girl seemed nice." "Yea she's great." "Is she just a friend or something more?" "Oh she's just a friend," he said with a smile. "She's actually engaged to our other best friend John." "Oh okay." "Yea so no worries," he said with a laugh. We made small talk for another ten minutes until Tara came over with our food. "Two orders of steak alfredo," Tara said, setting down the plates. We thanked her and she walked away. About five minutes after we started eating, a guy walked in the door. He was about 6'8", more ripped than any person I've ever seen. It was almost inhuman, he had short blonde hair, blue eyes, and was mildly tan. He looked around for a moment before walking over to our table. "Hello Carter," the mystery man greeted. "Oh umm hey John." "Who's your friend?" "This is Claire. She's new to the area and was looking for some friends." "I see. Hello Claire." "Hello," I said, my voice no louder than a whisper. "So where are you from," John asked, sitting next to Carter. "I've traveled around from place to place all my life." "Why?" "Because I've been alone ever since I can remember." "Why is that?" "Because I'm a little different," I answer without thinking, almost like I have no control over myself. "And what do you mean by that?" "Johnathan, let these people eat," Tara said, breaking whatever that was, I hadn't even noticed she had walked up to the table. "Yes dear," he retorted with a smile. "Don't let him scare you. I know he looks intimidating but he can be really nice," Carter told me as John and Tara walked away "Right,"I replied quietly, returning to my food. After we finished our food and Carter paid the bill we walked back to his house. We walked for about five minutes in silence. “Why are you helping me,” I blurted out. “What do you mean,” he asked me. “Why are you opening your home to me? Why did you buy me new clothes and why take me out to eat?” “Well camping in the woods for days is fine I guess but I know sleeping in a bed is better. No offense but your clothes were in a terrible state. Your shirt was too small and your pants too big. Also they were so dirty. And you looked like you could use a nice hot meal and Doreen’s is the best diner in town.” “Okay, those reasons are all fine and well, but you don’t know me at all. How do you know I’m not some criminal?” “I can just tell.” “That is,” I paused for a moment. “Bullshit,” I finished. “Oh really,” he asked, chuckling. “Yes,” I said, matter of factly. “Okay how about I don’t care. You were someone in need and I was taught to help people when I could.” “That’s even worse,” I whispered. “And why is that?” “Because that is how you get taken advantage of. That’s how you get hurt,” I said, getting frustrated. “Not everyone in the world is out to get you. At least I promise I’m not,” he said, stopping at his door to open it for me. “That’s not my experience,” I said, stopping to take off my shoes just inside the door. “By the way, where did this dress come from?” He was quiet for a few minutes before he answered quietly. “My sister.” “Is she going to want it back,” I asked. “No.” “Why not it’s super pretty?” “Because she’s dead.” “What happened to her?” “It’s a long story.” “Well if I’m staying here we’ve got time.” “I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” he answered gruffly. “Okay,” I answered quietly. “I’m going to bed. I have an early morning. Feel free to watch T.V. or something.” “Okay. Thank you.” “Yeah, no problem,” he said, walking away. I sat on the couch wondering if I went too far by asking about his sister. After thirty minutes of watching T.V. I went to bed. I was exhausted, and after he did so much for me I figured the least I could do is stay for a little while.